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History Behind the Iron Curtian |
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Behind the Iron Curtain |
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Before World War II ended it was already clear that Berlin would be the center stage for the |
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upcoming battle between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. The wall erected by the East |
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Berlin government on August 13, 1961 only ended the astounding decade-long situation in which |
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a single city connected the capitalist West with the Communist Soviet sphere-of-influence. |
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This tour of the Berlin Wall examines the details of the structure from its inception as a barbed |
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wire fence put up overnight to its fate as an advanced multi-wall system. Focusing on the global |
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clashes of power centering around the wall, from shocking espionage stories to moments in which |
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both sides braced for World War III, this tour is certainly one of our most thrilling. A significant |
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focus is also places in East Berlin that reveal the unique everyday world of socialist East Germany. |
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Recommended tour duration: 3-4 hours. |
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Selected Highlights: |
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• East Side Gallery, the longest remaining section of the Berlin wall. Until 1989, 269 GDR Citizens died trying to scale it. |
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The site gives a raw impression of the almost unthinkable idea of a divided city. Enjoy the artistic graffiti that remains, |
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giving the site its name. |
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• Museum Bernauer Strasse, the roof of the Museum is probably the best place where one can still see the complete |
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structure of the border system. Along with harrowing stories of escape and espionage, there is also the unique story |
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of the church once in view that was used for the surprising needs of GDR border guards. |
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• Ernst Thälmann Monument, a massive structure commemorating the leader of the German Communist party during the |
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twenties, who was tortured and murdered by the Nazis. Behind the huge figure and its balled fist, which gives a stunning |
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view into the regime’s cold grandiosity, one can see a typical GDR neighborhood. |
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• Karl-Marx-Allee, the must-see central boulevard of the former GDR, completed in a unique Soviet style. Originally named the |
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Stalin Allee for the Soviet dictator that conquered Berlin, one can still see one of Stalin’s ears and half of his moustache |
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incorporated into the architecture! Hear stories of everyday life in the GDR. Could it be that life behind the Iron Curtain |
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wasn't as bad as western propaganda said? |
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• Checkpoint Charlie, the central military checkpoint connecting the American sector with the Soviet empire. Hear the stories of |
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escape attempts and spy mix-ups, as well as the passion for opera of an American diplomat that sparked a dangerous |
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confrontation between the superpowers. |
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• Pernzlauer Berg, the montmartre of Berlin where a famous neighborhood of East Berlin has become the center of the city’s |
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reputation for hip style. In GDR times, a neighborhood for intellectuals and artists opposing the communist system, Prenzlauer |
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Berg became one of the main places of the peaceful revolution of ‘89,which contributed to the demise of the East German state. |
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• Karl Marx Forum, the imposing square with its elaborate monuments provide one of the clearest windows into East German |
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Communist ideology for those who can interpret its details. |
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